Adaptive Handling of Pulse-Train Signals in a Voice Gateway

1. A method comprising: receiving pulse train signal processing criteria; receiving at least one first pulse train processing control parameter having a first value indicating a pulse train characteristic to be produced from a received pulse train; receiving a first pulse train including first pulse train pulses; processing the first pulse train according to the first value to produce a corresponding first pulse train characteristic; transferring the first pulse train characteristic to a pulse train characteristic utilizing application; receiving a second pulse train processing control parameter having a second value, wherein the second value is different from the first value; receiving a second pulse train including second pulse train pulses; processing the second pulse train according to the second value to produce a corresponding second pulse train characteristic, wherein the second pulse train characteristic is different from the first pulse train characteristic; and transferring the second pulse train characteristic to the pulse train characteristic utilizing application.

2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the pulse train signal processing criteria include criteria selected from a group including a minimum recognition time, a maximum recognition time, a minimum break time, a maximum break time, a current receive pattern, a previous Rx Pattern, and a current transmit pattern.

3. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one pulse train processing control parameter indicates processing for determining at least a selected one of received pulse train pulses, a total number of received pulse train pulses, and a pulse train frequency.

4. A method according to claim 3 , wherein the at least one first pulse train processing control parameter includes a pulse identification, notification, and frequency calculation criteria (INFCC) parameter.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein the at least one first pulse train processing control parameter indicates an expected number of pulses to be received.

6. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the processing includes producing a pulse indicator corresponding to each received pulse train pulse if the pulse train processing control parameter indicates a first value, determining a total count of received pulse train pulses corresponding to a call if the pulse train processing control parameter indicates a second value, and determining a pulse train frequency change if the pulse train processing control parameter indicates a third value that is different from the first value and the second value.

7. A method according to claim 6 , wherein the determining a pulse train frequency change includes: counting a number of pulses corresponding to a first pulse train segment; determining a first time interval corresponding to receiving the pulses; determining a second time interval of a later pulse train segment during which the number of pulses is again received; and comparing the first time interval and the second time interval.

8. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one first pulse train processing control parameter modifies a time interval within which received pulse train pulses are counted.

9. A method according to claim 1 , wherein a time interval during which received pulse train pulses are counted is conditionally modifiable in accordance with the at least one first pulse train processing control parameter.

10. A method of claim 1 , wherein the transferring includes transferring a pulse indicator to the pulse train characteristic utilizing application each time processing indicates that a pulse train pulse is received.

11. A method of claim 1 , wherein the transferring includes transferring a pulse count total indicator to the pulse train characteristic utilizing application corresponding to a conclusion of a telephone call to which the pulse train corresponds.

12. A method of claim 1 , wherein the transferring includes transferring a frequency change indicator to the pulse train characteristic utilizing application each time processing indicates a pulse train frequency change.

13. A method according to claim 12 , wherein the transferring further includes transferring to the pulse train characteristic utilizing application a time interval within which pulses are received according to the frequency change and a number of pulses within the time interval.

14. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the pulse train comprises a metering signal according to which a telephone call is billed.

15. A system comprising: means for receiving pulse train signal processing criteria; means for receiving at least one first pulse train processing control parameter having a first value indicating a pulse train characteristic to be produced from a received pulse train; means for receiving a first pulse train including first pulse train pulses; means for processing the first pulse train according to the first value to produce a corresponding first pulse train characteristic; means for transferring the first pulse train characteristic to a pulse train characteristic utilizing application; means for receiving a second pulse train processing control parameter having a second value, wherein the second value is different from the first value; means for receiving a second pulse train including second pulse train pulses; means for processing the second pulse train according to the second value to produce a corresponding second pulse train characteristic, wherein the second pulse train characteristic is different from the first pulse train characteristic; and means for transferring the second pulse train characteristic to the pulse train characteristic utilizing application.

16. A system according to claim 15 , wherein the means for processing includes means for producing a pulse indicator corresponding to each received pulse train pulse if the pulse train processing control parameter indicates a first value, determining a total count of received pulse train pulses corresponding to a call if the pulse train processing control parameter indicates a second value, and determining a pulse train frequency change if the pulse train processing control parameter indicates a third value that is different from the first value and the second value.

17. A system according to claim 15 , wherein the means for processing and the means for transferring include a digital signal processor (DSP).

18. A system according to claim 17 , wherein the DSP is hosted by a voice media gateway (VMG).

19. A computer-readable storage device having stored thereon instructions for: receiving pulse train signal processing criteria; receiving at least one first pulse train processing control parameter having a first value indicating a pulse train characteristic to be produced from a received pulse train; receiving a first pulse train including first pulse train pulses; processing the first pulse train according to the first value to produce a corresponding first pulse train characteristic; transferring the first pulse train characteristic to a pulse train characteristic utilizing application; receiving a second pulse train processing control parameter having a second value, wherein the second value is different from the first value; receiving a second pulse train including second pulse train pulses; processing the second pulse train according to the second value to produce a corresponding second pulse train characteristic, wherein the second pulse train characteristic is different from the first pulse train characteristic; and transferring the second pulse train characteristic to the pulse train characteristic utilizing application.